Adapter for mounting switch onto panel

Abstract

Disclosed is an adapter for enabling an actuating switch, which has at least one contact section and an actuating section movably accommodating therein an actuator for actuating the contact section and which is so arranged that a first hollow cylindrical portion constituting a part of the actuating section and axially movably accommodating therein the actuator, can be directly mounted in a first hole having a first predetermined inner diameter and previously formed in a panel, to be mounted through the adapter in a second hole having a second predetermined inner diameter and previously formed in the same or another panel. The adapter comprises a first engaging device for engaging with the actuating section and a second engaging device for engaging with the panel through the second hole.

We claim: 
     
       1. Adapter apparatus for mounting a switch through a hole in a panel, the switch being of the type comprising a contact section and an actuating section, the actuating section comprising a first hollow cylindrical portion within which an actuator is axially movable, the first hollow cylindrical portion being sized to extend through a first hole from one side of a panel into engagement on the other side of a panel with means for securing the switch to the panel, said apparatus being configured for mounting such a switch in a second, larger hole in a panel, said apparatus comprising: a second hollow cylindrical portion sized to extend through such a second, larger hole;   a third hollow cylindrical portion sized to extend into the interior of said second cylindrical portion;   means on the inside surface of said third cylindrical portion for engaging said first cylindrical portion whereby such a switch is secured to said third cylindrical portion on one side of the panel and the actuator is accessible within said third cylindrical portion from the other side of the panel when said second cylindrical portion is extended through such a second, larger hole in a panel;   means for securing together said second and third cylindrical portions, said means for securing comprising a first radially outwardly extending flange on said third cylindrical portion, said first flange being sized to abut such a switch on one side of said first flange on the one side of such a panel;   a second radially outwardly extending flange on said second cylindrical portion, said second flange being sized to abut the other side of said first flange; and   protrusion means on one of said flanges for extending into and engaging with recess means on the other of said flanges;   means for securing such a switch in such a second, larger hole in a panel; and   means on the outside surface of said second cylindrical portion for engaging said means for securing on the other side of the panel to mount such a switch in a second, larger hole in a panel.   
     
     
       2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for engaging comprises threaded portions on said first, second and third cylindrical portions.